HC Deb 09 March 1979 vol 963 cc852-3W
Mr. Edwin Wainwright

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people under the age of 65 years to whom section 18 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Act 1970 applies, are accommodated in premises a part of which is providing accommodation for elderly persons.

Mr. Alfred Morris

On 7 March 1979, I laid before Parliament a statement pursuant to section 18(3) of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 1970, H.C. 228. The statement contains details of the returns submitted by local authorities. It provides the following information about persons who were permanently resident in the accommodation in question on 31 March 1977.

In England, there was a total of 7,395 permanent residents under the age of 65, who were accommodated in 2,102 homes or separate units within homes. Of these residents, 4,468 were accommodated in 1,700 homes or separate units of homes provided by local authorities and having 70 or fewer beds, and 310 in 68 homes or units provided by local authorities with more than 70 beds. A further 2,125 were resident in accommodation provided on behalf of local authorities in 314 private and voluntary homes or units of homes which had 70 or fewer beds, while the remaining 492 were accommodated in 20 homes or units provided on behalf of local authorities in private and voluntary homes having 70 or more beds.

In Wales, there was a total of 556 permanent residents under the age of 65. Of these, 384 were accommodated in 154 local authority homes or separate units of homes having 70 or fewer beds, 30 in four such homes, or units of homes and having more than 70 beds. The remaining 142 were accommodated on behalf of local authorities in 15 private and voluntary homes or separate units of homes with 70 or fewer beds.

The figures for England represent a decrease of 3 per cent of disabled people unsuitably accommodated in local authority homes and 7 per cent. in voluntary and private homes compared with the corresponding figures for 31 March 1976.

In Wales, the percentage reduction is greater, the total of 556 residents representing a decrease of 10 per cent in local authority homes and 9 per cent. in voluntary and private homes.